Water Rescue Dog Excellent

The third division is Water Rescue Dog Excellent (WRDX) and has six advanced exercises.  This level requires the dog to work instinctively and demonstrate its stamina and excellent swimming abilities. Water Rescue Dog Excellent pictures are available on the NCA website.

Abandoned Boat

A steward will row a boat out to a designated spot, the steward will then gently place a floating eight-foot line with a bumper attached into the water on the seaward side of the boat. The handler will send the dog to search for the line. The dog will tow the boat to shore.

Multiple Person Rescue

The dog and handler will board the boat and will travel out where the boat is anchored into position.  While the boat is being rowed out into position, the stewards will swim out to their designated locations. The victims will all begin to indicate that rescue is needed by splashing and calling for help. The handler will send the dog from the boat to rescue the victims. The dog shall swim close enough so that each victim is able to take hold of the dog, and the dog will return the victim to the handler at the boat. After each delivery the dog will be sent for the next victim. The dog will tow each victim back to the boat, where the handler waits on the platform.

Unconscious Person Rescue

The steward will swim away from shore into a designated position and float. The handler will command the dog to go to the steward’s rescue. Upon reaching the victim, the dog will then take either a protected arm or hand, or the lifejacket of the victim into its mouth, using a gentle hold, and will tow the victim just prior to a wading depth for the dog where the handler is waiting to assist the victim.

Capsized Raft

A steward in an inflatable raft will yell as he/she capsizes the raft, attracting the attention of the dog. The handler will command the dog to rescue the victim. Upon reaching the raft, the dog will swim in under the raft, whereupon the victim will immediately take hold of the dog. The dog will then exit from under the raft in any direction. The dog will tow the victim to wading depth for the dog, where the handler is waiting to assist with the victim.

Line to Shore

The handler and dog will ride on the boat to a designated spot.  Then handler will then direct the dog to take the line and then to jump from the boat. The dog will be directed by the handler to deliver the line to the steward waiting on the shoreline. While the handler holds the end of the line on the boat the steward will encourage the dog to come to him/her on shore. The dog will deliver the line to the steward waiting on shore.

Hidden Victims

Two stewards will be rowed out on the boat. The two stewards will quietly exit the boat, one at a time from the platform. While holding onto the boat they will then move to the seaward side of the boat.  The stewards will call for help in a manner realistic with being stranded and as if their boat had overturned. The dog will enter the water and will swim directly to the boat. The dog is to swim close enough to the victims for them to reach out and to take hold of the dog while still having hold of the side of the boat. The dog will bring the victims to a wading depth to meet the handler who will assist the victims.